‘I Totally Condemn It’: Governor Sanwo-Olu Speaks against Ethnic Bigotry, Thuggery In Lagos

Babajide Sanwoolu, the governor of Lagos State, has condemned the act of thuggery and ethnic bigotry that has became more amplified in Lagos State in the lead up to the general election.

In an interview with ARISE News on Monday, Sanwoolu spoke on the issue of bigotry and ethnic baiting that has characterised campaigns ahead of elections in the state.

“We should not even ventilate it, we should not give it anything to hold a space in us… It is not something I will push for.” 

He however, appreciated the fact that some of these people are only trying to preserve their cultures and traditions in these areas, saying that for some, it was simply an issue of respect.

Speaking on thuggery, the Lagos governor stated that it was a highly condemnable act, and that security operatives should be able to properly handle the matter. 

He further said, “No leader worth his salt will indeed allow a state to be run by people that we cannot even identify, so it is that condemnable.”

Babajide Sanwoolu then spoke on the End Sars protests and its aftermath, explaining his role in the protests and how he contributed to those who had many grievances during this period. 

He then emphasized that he was not in charge of the police or the military, and therefore, could not have ordered the shootings that took place at Lekki Toll gate on the 20th of October, 2020. 

He said, “It wasn’t a flash incident, it was an incident that had piled up for three weeks…I don’t control the police, I don’t control the military.”

He also addressed the matter in which Bola Tinubu, the president-Elect of Nigeria, did not get the required votes to win the polls in Lagos State, saying that the party has been able to identify the reasons for this loss, saying that it is a democracy, and nobody could be faulted for any loss. 

He however, acknowledged that the voter turnout for Lagos State during the presidential election was low, and encouraged the citizens of Lagos to vote in the upcoming gubernatorial elections.

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi 

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